John's work rate frustrates de los Cobos

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — One week after he scored a goal in 90 minutes of action in the Fire’s 3-2 win at Los Angeles, Collins John is in the doghouse.

Head coach Carlos de los Cobos benched the Dutch forward for Sunday night’s scoreless draw against the New York Red Bulls and didn't hold back afterwards, citing a lack of effort in training as the reason for John’s exclusion from the highly anticipated match.

“Even though Collins John scored in the last match, I think he did not play good,” de los Cobos said Sunday night. “My role as a coach is to demand that the players give 100 percent in practice, and in training Collins does not give us what we need.

"This player has big qualities, but he doesn't play good. I need to put on the field 11 players with a very good fitness level and a very good attitude."

John has two goals and one assist in 10 games this season since coming over from Belgian side K.S.V. Roeselare.

This isn’t the first time de los Cobos has publicly called out a Fire player. The first-year head coach had similar harsh words for Marco Pappa earlier this year, and Pappa responded to the criticism by establishing himself as the Fire’s premier attacker and a first-time MLS All-Star.